The risk of coercion in the context of HIV self-testing

Key take-home messages

• While studies to date indicate that there are many benefits of HIV self-testing (also known as home-testing) and the risk of harm through coerced self-testing is minimal, the risk of coercion still exists.
• HIV home testing in high-income settings is seen as less problematic because it is assumed that individuals would be able to pay for the test, do the test, and experience the testing process in a context free from coercion or abuse. In high-income settings, HIV self-testing may be less challenging because existing systems ensure proper regulation, access to health care, and protection from abuse.
• More research is needed on unintended consequences of self-testing in situations where testing is coercive and puts individuals at risk for violence if they refuse.

• Determinants of Health
  • Abuse
• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
  • General HIV- population
• Testing
  • Testing
• Health Systems
  • Delivery arrangements